The Basel native Federer beat Japan's Kei Nishikori for a second straight and
fifth overall Basel title a year ago. The Swiss great also claimed
championships here from 2006-08 and was a Swiss Indoors runner-up in 2000,
2001 and 2009.

Federer's quarterfinal opponent on Friday will be Pole Lukasz Kubot or
Frenchman Benoit Paire, who ousted fifth-seeded Italian Andreas Seppi 4-6,
6-2, 6-3 in round one on Day 3.

Meanwhile, a second-seeded del Potro, fresh off his title last week in Vienna,
stayed hot with a 6-4, 6-1 opening-round victory over fellow South American
Alejandro Falla of Colombia.

Del Potro stunned Federer in the 2009 U.S. Open final, but is a dismal 0-6
versus the Swiss legend this year.

Up next for "DelPo" will be American comeback kid Brian Baker on Thursday.